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Monday, November 5, 2018

Use Your Flex Spending Funds Before Year End or You Could Lose Them!

It’s almost the end of the year, and your flexible spending account dollars are on the verge of expiring. That’s tax-free money you could be wasting. Instead of racing to the drug store to stock up on Tylenol or nose spray, consider what you could really do with what’s left, like fix your smile or that of a loved one.

At my orthodontic practices in Springfield, Fairfax & Centreville, I get a lot of patients who wonder if their flexible spending account funds can go toward extra orthodontic care. The answer is, “Yes!” This knowledge always puts a smile on their faces. Many of my patients come to my practice to help their children with their smiles, but never think about fixing their own. My advice: use your end-of-the-year funds to fix your own smile. After all, you matter, too.

4 ways to put your flexible spending dollars to good use:

1) Give yourself a gift.

If you’ve been wanting to give yourself a better smile, now you can. By using your FSA dollars to give yourself Invisalign or braces, you’ll be well on your way to a more beautiful smile.

2) Do something nice for your spouse.

Wondering what to get your spouse for the holidays? Well, wonder no more. Giving them the rest of your FSA dollars to fix their smile is a great way to not only use up your remaining funds, but also do something nice for your main squeeze. It’s especially nice if you don’t have dental insurance.

3) Purchase extra retainers and mouthguards.

It’s inevitable that you or your children will lose their retainers or mouthguards. Buy an extra one to make sure you’re never without it.

4) Start another child in treatment.

Now is a great time to get another child started in treatment, too! Just bring them in for a free consultation, and then determine next steps.

These are just some of the ways you can put your FSA to use with orthodontic treatment in the Springfield area. Just make sure to use your funds soon because once 2019 hits, that money will be gone for good. To schedule a free consultation at one of our orthodontic offices in Springfield, Fairfax or Centreville, click here!